Elk Grove City Council Makes Official Announcement on 'Resignation' of City Manager; Severance Package Not Immediately Available

Former Elk Grove city manager at a city council meeting earlier this year. |  

May 9, 2018 |

After an extended closed session of their regular meeting this evening, the Elk Grove City Council announced the resignation of Laura Gill from her position as city manager

Coming out of the 90-minute closed session Mayor Steve Ly made the unusual announcement that by a 4-1 vote the council had accepted Gill's resignation. A visibly shaken Ly said that he voted against the move.

"By a vote of 4 to 1, with me, as mayor voting no, the city council has accepted the resignation of city manager Laura Gill," Ly said. "Ms. Gill's last day with the city will be Friday, 11, 2018."

Sources at city hall have said Gill has already vacated her city hall office and did not appear in public at the meeting. Ly said Assistant City Manager Jason Behrmann will be interim city manager and no replacement plans to fill the vacancy were announced.

In a statement released by the city's public affairs department, Ly was quoted as saying "We are a stronger community because of Ms. Gill’s leadership at City Hall. While the Council sees this as a time for change, we value the hard work and dedication that she has provided to the residents of Elk Grove for nearly a decade.”

The statement said that Gill will be given a severance package, but the city public information officer Kristyn Nelson said details were not immediately released by tomorrow. 

After stating the numerous accomplishments of the city over the last ten years, in her resignation letter (see below), Gill said: "I resigning from my position as city manager at the request of the city council effective at the close of business on Friday, May 11, 2018."

Gill was the city's third permanent chief executive officer and longest tenured after being hired in May 2008. According to terms of her most recent contract, Gill is eligible for one year of salary plus a cash payment of the value of benefits, but the final severance package could differ.